Tianning Diao Receives an NSF CAREER Award

NYU Chemistry Professor Tianning Diao has received a 2017 NSF CAREER Award. The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a "Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations." This prestigious award will provide 5 years of support for the Diao Group's work on bimolecular mechanisms for nickel-mediated bond formation. Congratulations to Tianning and her group!

Abstract: Transition metal catalysis allows for the efficient and atom-economical synthesis of organic compounds and has found widespread applications. In comparison to precious metal catalysts, nickel represents an inexpensive and earth-abundant alternative. Importantly, nickel provides access to new pathways and unprecedented reactivity. In this project, Dr. Tianning Diao is conducting a fundamental study to understand how nickel mediates the formation of chemical bonds. The results provide the basis for elucidating novel reactivity and selectivity challenges in coupling reactions. In addition to training students at the interface of organic and inorganic chemistry, Dr. Diao’s is developing a summer workshop program to help teachers from institutions with underrepresented minority students overcome challenges in teaching science. In addition, Dr. Diao is actively engaged in creating, editing, and updating contents in Chemwiki, a free online textbook, serving students worldwide.